NATHAN Deans looks set to provide the feelgood story of the opening round of the GFNL season, with the Grovedale great confirming he’s on track for his first game since suffering a career-threatening knee injury in July 2021.
Deans also damaged his tensor fasciae latae (TFL) in the meeting with Bell Park at Hi Sushi Oval, with doctors likening the damage to that suffered by someone involved in a car accident.
However, the 2016 Mathieson medallist resumed full training in December and, barring any issues over the next two months, will be in the Tigers’ line-up to face South Barwon at McDonald Reserve.
“I’ve ticked all the boxes with the physio and the surgeon,” Deans told krockfootball.com.au. “Pretty much, now, it’s just gaining my own confidence in the knee.
“At the minute, it all seems like I’ll hopefully be putting the jumper back on Round 1, which will be good, and it will be good to get back out there with the boys.
“You miss it after a bit of time out … it sums up you’re not ready to give it up yet.
“That’s the biggest thing.”
A member of Grovedale’s only GFNL grand final team in 2013, Deans played a vital role as the Tigers stormed to a preliminary final berth in 2016.
They are the club’s only two finals appearances since 1997, and Deans is keen to be part of Grovedale’s next September appearance – hopefully, this year.
“Last year, I went overseas for a couple of months, and it was a good little break,” he said.
“It was hard at some points when they were making a strong run late in the season.
“You could start seeing the development of some younger ones. We’re starting to get 40-50 games into a lot of younger ones.
“The likes of ‘Tutey’ (Jak Tute), Brady Ferguson … you can really start to see they’re coming along.
“I just want to be part of the ride.”
Deans is also looking forward to playing alongside big man Ryan Abbott again, with the former Geelong and St Kilda ruck committing full-time to Grovedale after spending the last two years on the Cats’ VFL list.
“Having him full-time, he’s been able to pass on a bit of his knowledge to the younger ones,” Deans said.
“And he’s taken the reins of the midfield; how he wants to run it, how he thinks it is going to work best.
“We’re now getting the full potential seeing he’s now with us full time.
“It’s just not the playing part; it’s being able to help out people.”
Deans also hasn’t ruled out putting his hands up to lead his beloved Tigers again.
“I enjoy that side of it; I enjoy helping out,” he said.
“I’ve still got the itch to try and influence however I can in that way.
“I certainly want to give it another crack if I can.”
Twitter: @krockfootball
